Stick it to Them: Discovering Escrima - Filipino Martial Art

What is the Filipino Martial Art of Escrima?

Escrima’s signature fighting sticks

Learn about the martial art of Escrima, also known as Arnis, including its history, styles, technique and weaponry.

There are around 200 known types of martial arts on Earth. Some, like BJJ, Karate, and Muay Thai, are well-known and are utilised by countless practitioners. However, many are underrated; either because their usage is limited to a certain region, or they’re not of much use.

Escrima belongs to the former category. It’s an effective martial art that uses weapons and open-hand techniques.

So what is Escrima? Here’s the gist of what you need to know about this interesting martial art!

History of Escrima

Escrima originates in the Philippines and is the country’s national martial art.

Also known as Arnis and Kali, the earliest forms of this art can be traced back 3000 years. When the Spanish took over the Philippines, Escrima was used as a tool of resistance by the invaded Filipino people. The Spaniards banned its usage, but the art was still practiced in secrecy and solitude.

When the Americans took over the Philippines, they allowed Escrima again. This proved helpful in the Second World War when its practitioners (or Escrimadors) fought alongside the Allies. Escrima received a lot of respect, as the Japanese weren’t able to conquer the country because of it. But despite its effectiveness, the Philippines doesn’t promote it much- and its mysterious nature remains.  

Still, with the rise of MMA, one can find Escrima being taught all over the world, and Remy Amador Presas is considered the founder of the modern version of the sport.

Escrima Equipment

Unlike most other fighting systems, Escrimadors use a handful of equipment. One will mostly find weapons such as bastons which can be single or double. A baston is essentially a stick and Escrima uses many variations of it. Other weapons include knives, daggers, nunchakus, and poles, similar to the weapons of Ninjutsu. Fabric is also used which includes Sarongs, handkerchiefs, and bandanas.

In a real fight, an Escrimador may use a handful of improvised weapons if the aforementioned ones aren’t available. For safety, traditional systems use shields. But one can find a lot more protective gear in modern Escrima schools, gyms, and competitions.

The sticks and vests are padded with foams and there’s also gear for the head and groin. This is because most body parts are legal for one to attack during this sport.

Escrima Styles and Techniques

Escrima Styles

There are dozens of different Escrima systems available today. They are differentiated by regions, as the ones practised in the Philippines are more traditional. There are plenty of Filipino-American systems as well, with some just focusing on a particular set of weapons such as knives. The common theme of all these different systems is to train fighters for fencing.

Once this has been accomplished, and the trainee is at a senior level, hand-to-hand combat techniques are taught. The competition system doesn’t allow punches and kicks. Nor does it allow any types of grappling and throws. Escrima has gotten a lot safer over time as its governing bodies (mainly the ARPI) are trying to get it into the Olympics.

Escrima is well known for being suitable for everyone. Even competitors with a short reach can excel at the sport. The art is also popular for being compatible with all sorts of fighting styles. This is why many MMA fighters like to practice Escrima as it can complement their existing disciplines, such as UFC strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas.

Specific Escrima Techniques

Escrima can be very useful for defending yourself in a street fight, and you can use any objects, even if sticks aren’t available. Basic training for the sport includes dozens of attack and defence angles. Each angle is dedicated to attacking a certain target or a part of the opponent’s body. This is done via a type of stick, and the focus is also laid on quick visuals and footwork.

Escrima mainly features the following techniques:

• Solo and Double Baston- these require knowledge of single and double stick usages respectively

• Kalis Ilustrisimo- this employs blades and all of their attacks

• Espada y Daga- this method employs the usage of weapons like swords, sticks, and daggers

• Mano y Mano- this involves hand-to-hand combat and is taught as a fighter grows in seniority

• Baraw- this art is confined to defending against knife attacks.

Drills tend to teach speed and rhythm to trainees. For power, one needs to master the usage of body twists and drops. The defensive aspect can be very difficult due to the speed and nature of any oncoming strikes. Despite the aesthetic nature of the art showcased in movies, fighters tend to avoid unnecessary movements that could cause them serious harm.

Escrima Governing Bodies

Escrima competitions usually follow one of two types of rules, set by the two main governing bodies of the sport. These two organisations are:

WEKAF

This is the World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation and it has its own rules. It doesn’t allow hitting below the competitors’ thighs and the neck and groin are also off-limits. The fighters spar while wearing protective gear while competing for up to ten points. These are awarded for offensive techniques, but a combatant cannot repeat the same strike twice in 4 seconds.

There are three rounds of one minute each and there’s a thirty-second break between each round. This system is recognised internationally, but it’s also considered quite extreme.

ARPI

This is the Arnis Philippines system which has fighters gear up more heavily. But there are no limits to what competitors can target, apart from the back of the head. It also works based on points, which are awarded based on strike impact and disarming an opponent.

This type of Escrima is a substitute for the extreme nature of the WEKAF system, and it is the local system used in the Philippines.

Escrima Ranking System

The ranking and grading system in Escrima is similar to other martial arts. There are belts that display one’s superiority of skills and these are handed out by rank promotion committees. The beginners get the white belt and rank up based on their skills and experience.

The black belt is handed out to those who master the craft, and there are ten degrees of black belts, with the final one reserved for grandmasters. This is similar to the Karate Ranking system, but of course, not as well known.

Major Escrima Events

Escrima has a number of high-profile events and competitions around the world. Domestically, the ARPI National Encounter is held to select members of the Philippines Escrima team, and WEKAF holds the world championships every year.

A medal in one of these competitions is considered to be the biggest achievement in the sport.

Famous Escrima Practitioners

Several prominent people have practised the art of Escrima, but none are as well-known as the legendary Bruce Lee. Lee has used the aforementioned double baston technique in his classic film ‘Enter the Dragon’. His instructor was the legendary Daniel Arca Inosanto, who has had students such as film legend Chuck Norris and MMA legend Anderson Silva.

Denzel Washington is another actor who knows Escrima, and he has shown his skills in the film, ‘The Equalizer’. The art has also been shown in films such as ‘Quantum of Solace’ and ‘Mission: Impossible III’. Famous professional wrestler and martial artist Steve Blackman is also well-versed in Escrima, and other personalities include, but aren’t limited to, Lucy Liu and Forest Whittaker.